Game device, program, information storage medium, game device control method, game distribution method, and game distribution device

ABSTRACT

To provide a game device capable of selecting game data to be played by a player when playing a game in a straightforward manner. One or a plurality of primary play candidate data names are selected from secondary play candidate data containing one or a plurality of items of game data and names for this game data. A primary play candidate data file configured so as to contain primary play candidate data name information necessary for displaying the selected primary play candidate name(s) is stored in a storage media. One or a plurality of primary play candidate data names is then displayed based on the stored primary play candidate data name information. One or a plurality of the displayed primary play candidate data names is selected as one or a plurality of play target data names. A game can then be controlled based on game data for the selected play target data name(s).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game device, program, informationstorage media, game device control method, game distribution method andgame distribution device, and particularly relates to technology capableof enabling a player to easily select game data to be played whenplaying a game.

BACKGROUND ART

It is possible to increase the level of interest in a game by enabling aplayer to make their own data (game data) to be used in a game or toobtain game data from another disc or via a network. For example, it iswell known that a player can make their own step data in dance gameswhere a player acts out steps according to step instructions displayedon a screen based on step data. In this kind of game, it is typical forgame data made by a player to be capable of being stored on anon-volatile storage device such as a memory card or hard disc storagedevice etc. It is therefore possible from the next time the player playsthe game onwards for the player to play the game based on game data thatthey themselves have made by selecting game data for the game to beplayed from game data stored in the non-volatile storage device.

However, it is the nature of this kind of game data that players tend tocollect such game data, and situations where players do not erase thegame data they have made themselves but simply keep the data are common.There are therefore cases where the number of items of game data isincreased while game data having a large volume is displayed on a gamedata selection screen. Such cases cause the possibility to arise that itmay be impossible to select the game data that the player wishes to playthe game with in a straightforward manner. In particular, if game datafor which the likelihood of selection is high, i.e. game data which isplayed frequently, cannot be selected in a straightforward manner, thisis stressful for the player.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above, and aimsto provide a game device, program, information storage media, gamedevice control method, game distribution method and game distributiondevice capable of enabling a player to select game data to be played ina straightforward manner while playing a game.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to resolve the aforementioned problems, a game device of thepresent invention comprises secondary play candidate data storage meansfor storing secondary play candidate data containing one or a pluralityof game data used in playing a game and a name for the game data,primary play candidate data name selection means for selecting one or aplurality of game data names from secondary play candidate data storedin the secondary play candidate data storage means as one or a pluralityof primary play candidate names, primary play candidate data storagemeans for storing primary play candidate data including primary playcandidate data name information for displaying said one or a pluralityof primary play candidate data names selected by the primary playcandidate data name selection means, primary play candidate data namedisplay means for displaying said one or a plurality of primary playcandidate data names selected by the primary play candidate data nameselection means based on primary play candidate data name information,play target data name selection means for selecting one or a pluralityof game data names from primary play candidate data names displayed bythe primary play candidate data name display means as one or a pluralityof play target data names, play target data acquisition means foracquiring game data relating to said one or a plurality of play targetdata names selected by the play target data name selection means as playtarget data, and game control means for controlling a game based on gamedata acquired by the play target data acquisition means.

Further, a program of the present invention is a program for having acomputer such as a home-use game machine, a business use game machine, aportable game machine, a portable telephone or a personal computer tofunction as secondary play candidate data storage means for storingsecondary play candidate data containing one or a plurality of game dataused in playing a game and a name for the game data, primary playcandidate data name selection means for selecting one or a plurality ofgame data names from secondary play candidate data stored in thesecondary play candidate data storage means as one or a plurality ofprimary play candidate names, primary play candidate data storage meansfor storing primary play candidate data including primary play candidatedata name information for displaying said one or a plurality of primaryplay candidate data names selected by the primary play candidate dataname selection means, primary play candidate data name display means fordisplaying said one or a plurality of primary play candidate data namesselected by the primary play candidate data name selection means basedon primary play candidate data name information, play target data nameselection means for selecting one or a plurality of game data names fromprimary play candidate data names displayed by the primary playcandidate data name display means as one or a plurality of play targetdata names, play target data acquisition means for acquiring game datarelating to said one or a plurality of play target data names selectedby the play target data name selection means as play target data, andgame control means for controlling a game based on game data acquired bythe play target data acquisition means.

Further, an information storage media of the present invention is aninformation storage media for storing a program for having a computersuch as a home-use game machine, a business use game machine, a portablegame machine, a portable telephone or a personal computer to function assecondary play candidate data storage means for storing secondary playcandidate data containing one or a plurality of game data used inplaying a game and a name for the game data, primary play candidate dataname selection means for selecting one or a plurality of game data namesfrom secondary play candidate data stored in the secondary playcandidate data storage means as one or a plurality of primary playcandidate names, primary play candidate data storage means for storingprimary play candidate data including primary play candidate data nameinformation for displaying said one or a plurality of primary playcandidate data names selected by the primary play candidate data nameselection means, primary play candidate data name display means fordisplaying said one or a plurality of primary play candidate data namesselected by the primary play candidate data name selection means basedon primary play candidate data name information, play target data nameselection means for selecting one or a plurality of game data names fromprimary play candidate data names displayed by the primary playcandidate data name display means as one or a plurality of play targetdata names, play target data acquisition means for acquiring game datarelating to said one or a plurality of play target data names selectedby the play target data name selection means as play target data, andgame control means for controlling a game based on game data acquired bythe play target data acquisition means.

Further, a control method for a game device of the present inventioncomprises a secondary play candidate storage step of storing secondaryplay candidate data containing one or a plurality of game data used inplaying a game and a name for the game data in a non-volatile storagedevice, a primary play candidate data name selection step of acceptingselection of one or a plurality of game data names from secondary playcandidate data stored in the non-volatile storage device as one or aplurality of primary play candidate names, a primary play candidate datastorage step of storing primary play candidate data including primaryplay candidate data name information for displaying said one or aplurality of primary play candidate data names selected in the primaryplay candidate data name selection step in the non-volatile storagedevice, a primary play candidate data name display step for displayingsaid one or a plurality of primary play candidate data names selected inthe primary play candidate data name selection step based on primaryplay candidate data name information, a play target data name selectionstep for accepting selection of one or a plurality of game data namesfrom primary play candidate data names displayed in the primary playcandidate data name display step as one or a plurality of play targetdata names, a play target data acquisition step for acquiring game datarelating to said one or a plurality of play target data names selectedin the play target data name selection step as play target data, and agame control step for controlling a game based on game data acquired inthe play target data acquisition step.

Further, a game distribution method of the present invention is a gamedistribution method for distributing a program, collectively or dividedinto parts, for having a computer such as a home-use game machine, abusiness use game machine, a portable game machine, a portable telephoneor a personal computer to function as secondary play candidate datastorage means for storing secondary play candidate data containing oneor a plurality of game data used in playing a game and a name for thegame data, primary play candidate data name selection means forselecting one or a plurality of game data names from secondary playcandidate data stored in the secondary play candidate data storage meansas one or a plurality of primary play candidate names, primary playcandidate data storage means for storing primary play candidate dataincluding primary play candidate data name information for displayingsaid one or a plurality of primary play candidate data names selected bythe primary play candidate data name selection means, primary playcandidate data name display means for displaying said one or a pluralityof primary play candidate data names selected by the primary playcandidate data name selection means based on primary play candidate dataname information, play target data name selection means for selectingone or a plurality of game data names from primary play candidate datanames displayed by the primary play candidate data name display means asone or a plurality of play target data names, play target dataacquisition means for acquiring game data relating to said one or aplurality of play target data names selected by the play target dataname selection means as play target data, and game control means forcontrolling a game based on game data acquired by the play target dataacquisition means.

Further, a game distribution device of the present invention is a gamedistribution device for distributing a program, collectively or dividedinto parts, for having a computer such as a home-use game machine, abusiness use game machine, a portable game machine, a portable telephoneor a personal computer to function as secondary play candidate datastorage means for storing secondary play candidate data containing oneor a plurality of game data used in playing a game and a name for thegame data, primary play candidate data name selection means forselecting one or a plurality of game data names from secondary playcandidate data stored in the secondary play candidate data storage meansas one or a plurality of primary play candidate names, primary playcandidate data storage means for storing primary play candidate dataincluding primary play candidate data name information for displayingsaid one or a plurality of primary play candidate data names selected bythe primary play candidate data name selection means, primary playcandidate data name display means for displaying said one or a pluralityof primary play candidate data names selected by the primary playcandidate data name selection means based on primary play candidate dataname information, play target data name selection means for selectingone or a plurality of game data name from primary play candidate datanames displayed by the primary play candidate data name display means asone or a plurality of play target data names, play target dataacquisition means for acquiring game data relating to said one or aplurality of play target data names selected by the play target dataname selection means as play target data, and game control means forcontrolling a game based on game data acquired by the play target dataacquisition means.

The present invention selects one or a plurality of primary playcandidate data names from secondary play candidate data containing oneor a plurality of items of game data and names for this game data.Primary play candidate data configured so as to contain primary playcandidate data name information necessary for displaying a selectedprimary play candidate name is stored in a storage media. A primary playcandidate data name is displayed based on the stored primary playcandidate data name information. One or a plurality of the displayedprimary play candidate data names is selected as a play target dataname. A game can then be controlled based on game data for the selectedplay target data name.

Primary play candidate data is, for example, data for which the playfrequency is high, etc. Further, primary play candidate data nameinformation is not limited to the game data name itself, and may be, forexample, an address indicating a storage position where a game data nameis stored, etc. Moreover, the non-volatile storage device maybe, forexample, and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read OnlyMemory) or a hard disc storage device, etc. Further, collectivedistribution is distribution, for example, where the whole of a programis distributed all together. Further, distribution in parts is, forexample, distributing parts of the program as required according to aphase of a game.

According to the present invention, when selecting game data as a playtarget, it is possible for the player to easily select game data for theplay target because primary play candidate data names selected by theplayer are displayed.

Moreover, in an aspect of the present invention, primary play candidatedata stored in the primary play candidate data storage means contains agame data name taken as the primary play candidate data name informationand contains game data itself relating to at least part of the game dataname. In doing this, it is possible to reduce the number of accesses toa storage media required in order to acquire primary play candidate datanames, and time required in order to display the primary play candidatedata names can be made shorter. Stress felt by a player when selectinggame data as a play target can therefore be alleviated.

Further, in an aspect of the present invention, there is providedsecondary play candidate data deletion means for deleting game datacorresponding to primary play candidate data stored in the primary playcandidate data storage means and the game data name from the secondaryplay candidate data storage means. By doing this, it is possible todelete secondary play candidate data selected as primary play candidatedata in a straightforward manner and convenience experienced by theplayer in deleting the secondary play candidate data is improved.

Moreover, in an aspect of the present invention, there is furtherprovided primary play candidate data collective reading means forcollectively reading primary play candidate data stored in the primaryplay candidate data storage means, wherein the primary play candidatedata name display means displays the game data name included as primaryplay candidate data name information in primary play candidate datacollectively read out by the primary play candidate data collectivereading means as the primary play candidate data name based on theprimary play candidate data name information, and the play target dataacquisition means acquires game data from the primary play candidatedata collectively read out by the primary play candidate data collectivereading means.

Collective reading is reading of primary play candidate data (configuredso as to contain a game data name taken as the primary play candidatedata name information and game data itself relating to at least part ofthe game data name), enabling the primary play candidate data namedisplay means to display a game data name contained in the primary playcandidate data, and enabling the play target data acquisition means toacquire play target data from the primary play candidate data. Forexample, in a game device where the primary play candidate data namedisplay means and the play target data acquisition means are implementedby program execution means such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit),arbitrary utilization is possible by the program execution means byreading out primary play candidate data for storing in storage meanssuch as a main storage device.

In doing so, for example, at the time of starting the game, game dataselected as play target data can be acquired by collectively reading outprimary play candidate data from the storage media. It is therefore notnecessary to access the storage media again and the time required forreading the game data can be made shorter. Namely, the time a player hasto wait for when reading out game data can be made shorter and stressfelt by a player can be further alleviated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a hardware configuration for a game device ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing storage content of a memory card of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a data configuration for a primary playcandidate data file of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a data configuration for primary play candidatedata name information of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a data configuration for primary play candidatedata selection screen of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a game data movement destination designationscreen of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a play target data select screen of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying a primary playcandidate data selection screen of the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for moving game data to aprimary play candidate data file of the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process from selection of play targetdata to game execution of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an overall configuration for a game programdistribution system using a communication network of the embodiment ofthe present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description based on the drawings of apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a hardware configuration for a game device 10of each of the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a gamedevice 10 is configured by installing a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk;Trademark) 25 and a memory card 42 constituting information storagemedia in a home-use game machine 46 connected to a monitor 18 and aspeaker 22. A household television is used as the monitor 18, andspeakers incorporated into the television used as the speakers 22.Further, the DVD 25 is used to supply a game program and game data tothe home-use game machine 46 but any other information storage mediasuch as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or ROM (Read OnlyMemory) card etc. may also be used. Moreover, the game program or gamedata can also be supplied to the home-use game machine 46 from a remotelocation via a data communication network such as the Internet, etc.

The home-use game machine 46 is a computer game system including amicroprocessor 14, graphics processing unit 16, main memory 26,input/output control unit 30, sound processing unit 20, controller 32,and DVD player 24. The microprocessor 14, graphics processing unit 16,main memory 26, and input/output control unit 30 are connected so as tobe capable of mutual data communication using a bus 12, with thecontroller 32, sound processing unit 20, DVD player 24 and memory card42 being connected to the input/output control unit 30. Eachconfiguration element of the home-use game machine 46 is housed in acase.

The microprocessor 14 controls the respective elements of the home-usegame machine 46 based on an operating system stored in a ROM (notshown), a game program read from the DVD 25, and saved data read fromthe memory card 42, so as to implement the providing of games to eachplayer. The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data among therespective elements of the home-use game machine 46. The main memory 26,for example, has a configuration containing RAM (Random Access Memory),which is written with game programs read out from the DVD 25 and saveddata read out from the memory card 42 as necessary. The graphicsprocessing unit 16 has a configuration containing VRAM (Video RandomAccess Memory). The graphics processing unit 16 receives image data fromthe microprocessor 14, draws a game screen image on the VRAM based onthe received data, and converts this content to a video signal, andoutput the signal to the monitor 18.

The input/output control unit 30 is an interface enabling themicroprocessor 14 to access the controller 32, the sound processing unit20, the DVD player 24, and the memory card 42. The sound processing unit20 includes a sound buffer and reproduces music data, game sound effectsand audio messages, and so on, which is reads out from the DVD 25 andstored in the sound buffer, and outputs sound via the speaker 22. TheDVD player 24 reads game programs recorded on the DVD 25 in accordancewith instructions from the microprocessor 14. The controller 32 is ageneral-purpose operation input means for enabling a player to carry outvarious operations and is equipped with an instruction button. Further,the memory card 42 is configured so as to include a non-volatile memory(for example, EEPROM etc.) that is detachable from the home-use gamemachine 46 and is for storing saved data etc. for various games.

With the game device 10 of this embodiment, secondary play candidatedata storage means and primary play candidate data storage means arerealized by a memory card 42. Further, the primary play candidate dataname selection means, primary play candidate data name display means,play target data name selection means, play target data acquisitionmeans, game control means and primary play candidate data collectivereading means are implemented by hardware and software centered aboutthe microprocessor 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, at the game device 10 of this embodiment, a primaryplay candidate data file and one or a plurality of items of game data(secondary play candidate data) is stored at the memory card 42. Theprimary play candidate data file stored in the memory card 42 is notlimited to one. A data configuration for the primary play candidate datafile is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, primary play candidate dataand one or a plurality of non-priority primary play candidate game datais contained in the primary play candidate data file. Further, primaryplay candidate data name information and one or a plurality of priorityprimary play candidate game data is contained in the primary playcandidate data. The primary play candidate data file is provided with aregion containing primary play candidate data name information and agame data region containing priority primary play candidate game dataand non-priority primary play candidate game data. The game data regionis divided in order from the head, with each item of game data beingincluded in each region.

A data configuration for the primary play candidate data nameinformation is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the primary playcandidate data name information is comprised of 1) a game data ID foridentifying the game data, 2) a game data name, 3) the head address ofthe region in which the game data is included, for all of the game data(priority primary play candidate game data and non-priority primary playcandidate game data) contained in the primary play candidate data file.

The priority primary play candidate game data is game data collectivelyread out together with primary play candidate data name information asprimary play candidate data at the play target data selection screen(refer to FIG. 7). For example, in cases where a large volume of gamedata is contained in the primary play candidate data file, it is notpossible to collectively read the primary play candidate data file andin this case dividing into priority primary play candidate game data andnon-priority primary play candidate game data acquire a special meaning.It is also possible to provide non-priority primary play candidate gamedata. In this case, all of the game data contained in the primary playcandidate data file is made priority primary play candidate game data.Namely, in this case, it is indicated that the primary play candidatedata file and the primary play candidate data are the same.

In the following, a description is given of moving game data from thesecondary play candidate data to the primary play candidate data file,and selecting play target data based on the primary play candidate datafile.

FIG. 5 shows a primary play candidate data selection screen and FIG. 6shows a game data movement destination designation screen. A primaryplay candidate data selection screen 50 is a screen for selecting gamedata to move from the secondary play candidate data to the primary playcandidate data file. The primary play candidate data selection screen 50exists as part of primary play candidate data file management functionsfor, for example, changing game data names relating to game datacontained in the primary play candidate data file and changing regionsin which game data is contained. When game data is selected by a playerat the primary play candidate data selection screen 50, a game datamovement destination designation screen 60 is displayed. The game datamovement destination designation screen 60 is a screen for designatingwhich region of the game data regions of the primary play candidate datafile game data selected at the primary play candidate data selectionscreen 50 is to be contained in. When a region is designated by a playerat the game data movement destination designation screen 60, movement ofgame data from the secondary play candidate data to the primary playcandidate data file is executed.

FIG. 7 shows a play target data selection screen. A play target dataselection screen 70 is a screen for selecting game data (play targetdata) to be played by a player. The play target data selection screen 70is displayed, for example, during game execution. At the play targetdata selection screen 70, when data to be played is selected by aplayer, a game is executed based on the selected data to be played.

In the following, a detailed description is given of moving game datafrom secondary play candidate data to the primary play candidate datafile.

As shown in FIG. 5, a game data name relating to game data stored in thememory card 42 as secondary play candidate data is displayed at theprimary play candidate data selection screen 50. A select button isdisplayed at the lower part of the screen. At the primary play candidatedata selection screen 50, the player selects the name of game data to bemoved to the primary play candidate data file from displayed game datanames and designates the select button using the controller 32. When theselect button is designated, processing is executed to move game datarelating to the selected game data name to the primary play candidatedata file.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for displaying aprimary play candidate data selection screen 50. In FIG. 8, in thisprocessing, first, game data stored on the memory card 42 as secondaryplay candidate data is searched for (S101) . When corresponding gamedata is found, game data names are acquired and stored (S102, S103).Further, all game data names relating to game data stored as secondaryplay candidate data are acquired, and the acquired game data names arestored (S104, S103). When game data names are stored for all of the gamedata stored in the memory card 42 as secondary play candidate data, theprimary play candidate data selection screen 50 is displayed, and thestored game data names are displayed at the primary play candidate dataselection screen 50 (S105). This processing is implemented throughexecution of a program stored in the DVD 25 etc. by a microprocessor 14.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for moving game data toa primary play candidate data file. In FIG. 9, in this processing,first, a movement confirmation screen for confirming movement with theplayer is displayed (S201). When the player does not permit the movement(S202), the game data movement process is halted. When movement ispermitted by the player (S202), all of the primary play candidate datafile is read out (S203) . Namely, the primary play candidate data filestored in the memory card 42 is read out and stored in the main memory26. The game data movement destination designation screen 60 is thendisplayed based on primary play candidate data name informationcontained in the primary play candidate data file stored in the mainmemory 26.

As shown in FIG. 6, conditions for the game data regions of the primaryplay candidate data file are displayed at the game data movementdestination designation screen 60 based on the game data names containedin the primary play candidate data name information. Namely, game datanames are displayed when game data is contained and an empty column isdisplayed when game data is not contained. Conditions for a prescribedfew items from the head of the game data regions, for example,conditions for the game data regions for priority primary play candidategame data, are displayed when the game data movement destinationdesignation screen 60 is displayed. In doing so, displaying of a largequantity of game data region conditions at the screen can be prevented.A select button, next button, and previous button are displayed at thelower part of the screen. Conditions that are not displayed at thescreen, i.e. conditions that are a prescribed number down from the headof the game data region, can be displayed by designating the next buttonusing the controller 32. Further, when the next button is designated andthe previous button is then designated, the screen for before the nextbutton was designated is displayed. At the game data movementdestination designation screen 60, the player then selects an item wherean empty column is displayed (an item where no game data name isdisplayed) as the movement destination for the game data and designatesthe select button using the controller 32.

At the game data movement destination designation screen 60, when theselect button is designated, movement of the game data is executed(S205). Namely, game data selected by the player is read out, and ismoved to a game data region designated for the primary play candidatedata file stored in the main memory 26. The content of the primary playcandidate data name information is then changed. The primary playcandidate data file stored in the main memory 26 is then written andsaved to the memory card 42 (S206). As a result, the process for movinggame data to the primary play candidate data file is complete. Thisprocessing is implemented through execution of a program stored in theDVD 25 etc. by a microprocessor 14.

The following is a detailed description of from selection of the playtarget data based on the primary play candidate data file to executionof the game.

As shown in FIG. 7, game data names contained in the primary playcandidate data name information are displayed at the play target dataselection screen 70. When the play target data selection screen 70 isdisplayed, game data contained for a prescribed few items from the headof the game data region, for example, game data names relating topriority primary play candidate game data, is displayed. A selectbutton, next button, and previous button are displayed at the lower partof the screen. Game data names relating to game data contained aprescribed number down from the head of the game data region aredisplayed by designating the next button using the controller 32.Further, when the next button is designated and the previous button isthen designated, the screen for before when the next button wasdesignated is displayed. At the play target data selection screen 70,the player selects play target game data from the displayed game dataand designates the select button using the controller 32.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for illustrating a process from selection ofplay target data to game execution. As shown in FIG. 10, in thisprocessing, first, primary play candidate data (primary play candidatedata name information and priority primary play candidate game data) iscollectively read out from the memory card 42 (S301). Namely, primaryplay candidate data is read from the memory card 42 and stored in themain memory 26. Next, the play target data selection screen 70 isdisplayed (S302). As described above, game data names contained in theprimary play candidate data name information are displayed at the playtarget data selection screen 70. When play target data is selected atthe play target data selection screen 70, a determination is made as towhether or not the selected play target data is priority primary playcandidate game data (S303) . When priority primary play candidate gamedata has been selected, the game data is already stored in the mainmemory 26, and the game is executed based on the game data stored in themain memory 26. When non-priority primary play candidate game data hasbeen selected, the game data is not stored in the main memory 26. Gamedata is therefore read out from the memory card 42 (S304) and the gameis executed. This processing is implemented through execution of aprogram stored in the DVD 25 etc. by a microprocessor 14.

According to the game device 10 described above, only game data namescontained in the primary play candidate data file are displayed when aplayer is selecting data to be played, and a player can therefore easilyselect data to be played. Further, primary play candidate data iscollectively readout in advance when selecting data to be played.Therefore the time required from selecting the data to be played toexecuting a game can be made shorter.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

For example, in the above description, an example is given ofimplementing the present invention using a home-use game machine but thepresent invention may also be similarly applied to a business use gamemachine. It is preferable in this case for the monitor and speakers tobe formed integrally.

Further, for example, in step S206 of FIG. 9, processing can be added todelete game data saved as primary play candidate data from secondaryplay candidate data. In this case, the secondary play candidate datadeletion means can be implemented using hardware and software centeredon the microprocessor 14. By doing this, it is possible to delete fromsecondary play candidate data for game data selected as primary playcandidate data in a straightforward manner and convenience experiencedby the player in deleting the secondary play candidate data of game datais improved.

Further, for example, in S301 of FIG. 10, collective reading out ofprimary play candidate data is executed but it is also possible tocollectively read out the primary play candidate data when starting upthe game. In doing so, it is not necessary to collectively read outprimary play candidate data during processing for selecting data to beplayed, the time required to display the play target data selectionscreen can be made shorter, and stress experienced by a player can bealleviated.

Further, information comprising the primary play candidate data nameinformation is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4. For example, displayorder information may also be added. In the above description, at thegame data movement destination designation screen 60 and the play targetdata selection screen 70, displaying of game data names is carried outbased on the order of the game data regions containing the game data,but may also be displayed based on display order information. Moreover,for example, comment information may also be added. In doing so,correspondence can be achieved with detailed information in the gamedata, and it is made still more straightforward for the player to selectthe game data.

Further, in the above, a description is given of moving game data fromsecondary play candidate data to a primary play candidate data file but,for example, when a player saves game data in a game, the game data mayalso be saved in a primary play candidate data file. Convenience for theplayer is therefore improved as a result.

Further, in the above description, a game program and game program dataare supplied from an information storage media of a DVD 25 to a home-usegame machine 46 but the game program and game data can also bedistributed to each home via a communication network. FIG. 11 is a viewshowing an overall configuration for a game program distribution systemusing a communication network. As shown in FIG. 11, this game programdistribution system 100 contains a game database 102, a server 104, acommunication network 106, a personal computer 108, a home-use gamemachine 110, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 112. Of these, agame program distribution device 114 is configured from the gamedatabase 102 and the server 104. The communication network 106 is, forexample, an internet or a cable television network. In this system, thegame database 102 is stored with a game program and game data similar tothe content stored in the DVD 25. A customer then makes a gamedistribution request using the personal computer 108, the home-use gamemachine 110, or the PDA 112 etc., and this is transmitted to the server104 via the communication network 106. The server 104 reads the gameprogram and game data from the game database 102 in response to the gamedistribution request and transfer them to the requesting entity, such asthe personal computer 108, the home-use game machine 110, or the PDA 112etc. Here, game distribution takes place in response to a gamedistribution request but transmission may also be one-way from theserver 104. Further, it is not necessary for all of the game program andgame data required for the implementation of the game to be distributedthrough a one-time download (download distribution), and it is alsopossible to distribute necessary portions according to the phase of thegame (streaming distribution) If game distribution via this kind ofcommunication network 60 is adopted, then it is straightforward for thecustomer to acquire the game program and game data.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, by applying the present invention to a game etc., itis possible for a player to easily select game data to be played whenplaying a game.

1. A game device comprising: secondary data storage means for storingsecondary data containing one or more game data used in playing a gameand a name for the game data; primary data name selection means for userselection of one or more game data names from the secondary data as oneor more primary game data names; primary data storage means for storingat least one primary data file including primary data name informationfor displaying said one or more selected primary game data names anduser-designated priority and non-priority primary game datacorresponding to said primary game data names; means for storing one ormore game data corresponding to said one or more primary game datanames, as primary game data, in a priority region or a non-priorityregion of the at least one primary data file based on user selection,and storing said one or more primary game data names in a primary dataname information region of the at least one primary data file; primarydata collective reading means for collectively reading out the priorityregion and the primary data name information region of the primary datafile, and storing the priority region and the primary data nameinformation region of the primary data file in main memory; primary dataname display means for displaying said one or more primary game datanames stored in the primary data name information region of the primarydata file stored in the main memory; target data name selection meansfor selecting one or more game data names from the displayed primarygame data names as one or more target data names; target dataacquisition means for acquiring game data relating to said one or moreselected target data names as target data from the priority region ofthe primary data file stored in the main memory if game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names is stored in the priorityregion of the primary data file, and acquiring game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names as target data from thenon-priority region of the primary data file stored in the primary datastorage means if game data relating to said one or more selected targetdata names is stored in the non-priority region of the primary datafile; and game control means for controlling a game based on game dataacquired by the target data acquisition means.
 2. The game device ofclaim 1, further comprising secondary data deletion means for deletinggame data corresponding to primary game data stored in the primary datastorage means and the game data name from the secondary data storagemeans.
 3. A computer readable information storage media storing aprogram, said program containing instructions for causing a computer tofunction as: secondary data storage means for storing secondary datacontaining one or more game data used in playing a game and a name forthe game data; primary data name selection means for user selection ofone or more game data names from the secondary data as one or moreprimary game data names; primary data storage means for storing at leastone primary data file including primary data name information fordisplaying said one or more selected primary game data names anduser-designated priority and non-priority primary game datacorresponding to said primary game data names; means for storing one ormore game data corresponding to said one or more primary game datanames, as primary game data, in a priority region or a non-priorityregion of the at least one primary data file based on user selection,and storing said one or more primary game data names in a primary dataname information region of the at least one primary data file; primarydata collective reading means for collectively reading out the priorityregion and the primary data name information region of the primary datafile, and storing the priority region and the primary data nameinformation region of the primary data file in main memory; primary dataname display means for displaying said one or more primary game datanames stored in the primary data name information region of the primarydata file stored in the main memory; target data name selection meansfor selecting one or more game data names from the displayed primarygame data names as one or more target data names; target dataacquisition means for acquiring game data relating to said one or moreselected target data names as target data from the priority region ofthe primary data file stored in the main memory if game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names is stored in the priorityregion of the primary data file, and acquiring game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names as target data from thenon-priority region of the primary data file stored in the primary datastorage means if game data relating to said one or more selected targetdata names is stored in the non-priority region of the primary datafile; and game control means for controlling a game based on game dataacquired by the target data acquisition means.
 4. A control method for agame device comprising: a secondary data storage step of storingsecondary data containing one or more game data used in playing a gameand a name for the game data in a non-volatile storage device; a primarydata name selection step of accepting user selection of one or more gamedata names from the secondary data as one or more primary game datanames; a primary data storage step of storing at least one primary datafile including primary data name information for displaying said one ormore selected primary game data names and user-designated priority andnon-priority primary game data corresponding to said primary game datanames in the non-volatile storage device; a step of storing one or moregame data corresponding to said one or more primary game data names, asprimary game data, in a priority region or a non-priority region of theat least one primary data file based on user selection, and storing saidone or more primary game data names in a primary data name informationregion of the at least one primary data file; a primary data collectivereading step for collectively reading out the priority region and theprimary data name information region of the primary data file, andstoring the priority region and the primary data name information regionof the primary data file in main memory; a primary data name displaystep for displaying said one or more selected primary game data namesstored in the primary data name information region of the primary datafile stored in the main memory; a target data name selection step foraccepting selection of one or more game data names from the displayedprimary game data names as one or more target data names; a target dataacquisition step for acquiring game data relating to said one or moreselected target data names as target data from the priority region ofthe primary data file stored in the main memory if game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names is stored in the priorityregion of the primary data file, and acquiring game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names as target data from thenon-priority region of the primary data file stored in the non-volatilestorage device if game data relating to said one or more selected targetdata names is stored in the non-priority region of the primary datafile; and a game control step for controlling a game based on game dataacquired in the target data acquisition step.
 5. A game distributionmethod for distributing a program collectively or divided into partscomprising a program embodied in a computer readable medium, saidprogram containing instructions for causing a computer to function as:secondary data storage means for storing secondary data containing oneor more game data used in playing a game and a name for the game data;primary data name selection means for user selection of one or more gamedata names from the secondary data as one or more primary game datanames; primary data storage means for storing at least one primary datafile including primary data name information for displaying said one ormore selected primary game data names and user-designated priority andnon-priority primary game data corresponding to said primary game datanames; means for storing one or more game data corresponding to said oneor more primary game data names, as primary game data, in a priorityregion or a non-priority region of the at least one primary data filebased on user selection, and storing said one or more primary game datanames in a primary data name information region of the at least oneprimary data file; primary data collective reading means forcollectively reading out the priority region and the primary data nameinformation region of the primary data file, and storing the priorityregion and the primary data name information region of the primary datafile in main memory; primary data name display means for displaying saidone or more primary game data names stored in the primary data nameinformation region of the primary data file stored in the main memory;target data name selection means for selecting one or more game datanames from the displayed primary game data names as one or more targetdata names; target data acquisition means for acquiring game datarelating to said one or more selected target data names as target datafrom the priority region of the primary data file stored in the mainmemory if game data relating to said one or more selected target datanames is stored in the priority region of the primary data file, andacquiring game data relating to said one or more selected target datanames as target data from the non-priority region of the primary datafile stored in the primary data storage means if game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names is stored in thenon-priority region of the primary data file; and game control means forcontrolling a game based on game data acquired by the target dataacquisition means.
 6. A game distribution device for distributing aprogram collectively or divided into parts, said program having acomputer to function as: secondary data storage means for storingsecondary data containing one or more game data used in playing a gameand a name for the game data; primary data name selection means for userselection of one or more game data names from the secondary data as oneor more primary game data names; primary data storage means for storingat least one primary data file including primary data name informationfor displaying said one or more selected primary game data names anduser-designated priority and non-priority primary game datacorresponding to said primary game data names; means for storing one ormore game data corresponding to said one or more primary game datanames, as primary game data, in a priority region or a non-priorityregion of the at least one primary data file based on user selection,and storing said one or more primary game data names in a primary dataname information region of the at least one primary data file; primarydata collective reading means for collectively reading out the priorityregion and the primary data name information region of the primary datafile, and storing the priority region and the primary data nameinformation region of the primary data file in main memory; primary dataname display means for displaying said one or more primary game datanames stored in the primary data name information region of the primarydata file stored in the main memory; target data name selection meansfor selecting one or more game data names from the displayed primarygame data names as one or more target data names; target dataacquisition means for acquiring game data relating to said one or moreselected target data names as target data from the priority region ofthe primary data file stored in the main memory if game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names is stored in the priorityregion of the primary data file, and acquiring game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names as target data from thenon-priority region of the primary data file stored in the primary datastorage means if game data relating to said one or more selected targetdata names is stored in the non-priority region of the primary datafile; and game control means for controlling a game based on game dataacquired by the target data acquisition means.
 7. A game devicecomprising: a non-volatile storage device for storing at least oneprimary data file and secondary data; a microprocessor for selecting,based on user input, one or more game data names from the secondary datastored in non-volatile storage device as one or more primary game-datanames, storing one or more game data corresponding to said one or moreprimary game data names, as primary game data, in a priority region or anon-priority region of the at least one primary data file based on userselection, storing said one or more primary game data names in a primarydata name information region of the at least one primary data file,selecting one or more game data names from primary game data names asone or more target data names, collectively reading out the priorityregion and the primary data name information region of the primary datafile, storing the priority region and the primary data name informationregion of the primary data file in main memory, acquiring game datarelating to said one or more selected target data names as target datafrom the priority region of the primary data file stored in the mainmemory if game data relating to said one or more selected target datanames is stored in the priority region of the primary data file, andacquiring game data related to said one or more selected target datanames as target data from the non-priority region of the primary datafile stored in the non-volatile storage device if game data relating tosaid one or more selected target data names is stored in thenon-priority region of the primary data file; a video display fordisplaying said one or more selected primary game data names stored inthe primary data name information region of the primary data file storedin the main memory; and a game controller for controlling a game basedon the acquired target data.
 8. The game device according to claim 7,wherein the at least one primary data file comprises primary data nameinformation for displaying said one or more primary game data namesselected by the microprocessor and user-designated priority andnon-priority primary game data corresponding to said primary game datanames.
 9. The game device according to claim 7, wherein the secondarydata comprises one or more game data used in playing a game and a namefor the game data.
 10. A game system comprising: a microprocessor whichcontrols the game system based on game programs and user selected targetdata; a media player which reads the game programs from readable mediain accordance with instructions from the microprocessor; main memorywhich stores the game programs read from the media player; secondarymemory which stores user-designated priority and non-priority primarygame data comprising primary game data names and secondary datacomprising secondary game data names; and a game controller whichprovides a user interface for selecting a target data name from theprioritized primary game data names, wherein the priority andnon-priority primary game data is stored in the secondary memory in apriority region or a non-priority region, respectively, of at least oneprimary data file based on user prioritization, wherein the priorityregion and the primary data name information region of the primary datafile are read out and stored in the main memory, and wherein target datarelated to the target data name is acquired from the priority region ofthe primary data file stored in the main memory if target data relatingto the target data name is stored in the priority region of the primarydata file, and target data related to the target data name is acquiredfrom the non-priority region of the primary data file stored in thesecondary memory if game data relating to the target data name is storedin the non-priority region of the primary data file, and the gameprogram is controlled based on the acquired target data.
 11. The gamesystem according to claim 10 further comprising a graphics processingunit which draws a game screen image based on receive data from themicroprocessor.
 12. The game system according to claim 11 furthercomprising a video display unit which displays the game screen imagescreated by the graphics processing unit.